Posted on Twitter at: 7:43:00 PMThe chat on VikingUpdate.com with Scout.com's Adam Caplan is open for your questions. Here is the link: http://bit.ly/9axree #Vikings

Posted by: Tim Yotter
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 3:40:00 PM

Former Viking part of new NFL transition program

Former Vikings and Eagles fullback Thomas Tapeh is one of the players scheduled to take part in the NFL's "NFL Career Transition Program" to help former players transition from the gridiron to the business world.

The program will take place from June 7-10 at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and is free for players.

"I'm looking forward to learning new things and meeting new people to help in my transition from the game," Tapeh said in a statement announcing the program. "Once football is over, life goes on."

The four-day course will address the success factors that are important in the transition to life after football while also educating players about resources available in their communities. Participating players will learn about personal finance, launching a new career with realistic expectations, developing a personal brand, communication skills, and the importance of health and well being.

Textin' ain't talkin', part II

Yesterday, Brad Childress avoided getting into specifics about Brett Favre's decisions about surgery and football by saying that he has texted with Favre, but hasn't talked to him recently and texting isn't talking.

Tarvaris Jackson was asked a similar question. Like so many other players and coaches throughout the offseason, he apparently avoids the pressing football questions with Favre as well.

Asked what he texts about with Favre, Jackson said, "Nothing too detailed. Nothing about football. I wouldn't dare ask him if he's coming back. That's not even in my character. Just life stuff."

Of course, Jackson also claimed he didn't know that Favre was still hurt. Instead, he says he texts about the personal stuff: "‘How you doing? How's life?' I was in his area a couple of times. My son's from down there, so I was in that area," Jackson said. "Just saying that, ‘If you're down in this area again, just holler at me.' That was pretty much it."

Obviously, they don't share fashion tips either. Favre had a pair of Wranglers jeans placed in the players' lockers at the start of the offseason conditioning program in March, but most of the players aren't going to be wearing them for a night out, despite Favre being a Wranglers spokesman. Jackson hasn't even worn them yet.

"They're in my locker. You want ‘em? I'm not a Wrangler guy, man," he said. "I was brought up wearing Levi's, not Wranglers."

Posted on Twitter at: 12:11:00 PMNotebook: Defensive depth a priority: The Vikings didn't sign many free agents this offseason, but they made sure ... http://bit.ly/aLqn7Z

Posted by: Tim Yotter
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 11:45:00 AM

Stadium talk stays alive even after session ends

The Minnesota Legislature didn't approve financing for a new Vikings stadium, but the debate is hardly over.

In an extensive and multi-faceted article on MinnPost.com, Jay Weiner dove into a number of issues relating to the future of the stadium debate, including ideas for next year's session, the L.A. debate and more.

Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller indicated that the stadium financing could end up as part of a bigger infrastructure plan in 2011 and, according to Weiner's story, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak believes it could be linked to other issues as well.

The city of Minneapolis faces other pressing financial issues and it's uncertain if they will have the resources to become a local financing partner.

Weiner also examined the finances of moving the team to Los Angeles and the obstacles standing in the way of such a move. But, clearly, more delays in Minnesota will continue to keep the L.A. threat hanging over Minnesota skies.

Also of interest to Vikings fans considering using the stadium issue as a basis for their votes this fall is Weiner's speculation on which politicians could be helpful to the stadium cause and which ones might stand between the team seeing a public-private financing partnership.

The article bumps into a number of relevant topics and also makes some financial and political assumptions, but it's worth a read. Here's the link.

Posted on Twitter at: 7:29:00 AMJackson, Rosenfels explain their approach: While the world waits on a Brett Favre decision, Tarvaris Jackson and S... http://bit.ly/cC7faO

Posted by: Tim Yotter
on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 6:49:00 AM

Some newcomers settling in at Vikings OTAs

The Vikings had about 60 players at Winter Park for the second day of organized team activities, with the majority of the starters being excused in addition to a few rookies that aren't allowed to attend because of NFL rules that state they cannot participate in the voluntary workouts when their college is still in session.

The only starters among the veterans to attend Wednesday's session were safety Madieu Williams and Tyrell Johnson. Even second-year starters like center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt were allowed to miss, but Childress said a number of players were inside working on strength and conditioning. That makes sense since at least one absent starter's car was in the parking lot and at least Chad Greenway was practice at Tuesday's OTA session.

Among the newcomers that did attend was cornerback Lito Sheppard, whom Childress and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier have familiarity with from their days together with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Sheppard is getting "a Master's degree" in the Cover-2 defense the Vikings run, Childress said.

Sheppard was joined in the cornerback fold by second-round draft pick Chris Cook, who was working at left and right cornerback as well as in the nickel.

Rookie Chris DeGeare was much more settled in, working strictly at guard to start his professional career.

Sixth-round draft choice Joe Webb is also settling in at one position for now, but it's not the one the Vikings were expecting after drafting him. At the time, they anticipated working him mostly at wide receiver, but he impressed enough in the final practice of rookie minicamp at quarterback that they have been playing him there to start their OTA sessions.

Webb's work there gives the Vikings four quarterbacks in camp with Brett Favre apparently still undecided on whether or not to have ankle surgery. Childress said he has gotten no clarification from Favre on that issue.

The camp also gave the backups to Pat and Kevin Williams an opportunity to get more work. Although veteran Jimmy Kennedy was not at Wednesday's practice, Fred Evans and Letroy Guion benefitted from more work there.

The Vikings aren't expecting to add a free agent the position, with Childress saying that free agency is over (that could be with the exception of guard Chester Pitts, who is working his way back from knee surgery).

The Vikings will continue through the week with OTA practices and continue with four more next week.